Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder face Portland Trail Blazers for the first time since the wave goodbye

By Matthew Hallett

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 7: Abdel Nader #11 hi-fives Nerlens Noel #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 7: Abdel Nader #11 hi-fives Nerlens Noel #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder faces Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time since the wave goodbye.

In the biggest test that the OKC Thunder has faced this season, they take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Both teams experienced massive adjustments to the roster, the difference being the Blazers kept their core intact and the Thunder appeared to lose so much.

The Thunder, despite holding a 1-3 record have lost two of the three games by five points or less. The biggest loss was by 12 points to the Washington Wizards. They have embraced the defensive identity coach Billy Donovan has bought the team this year.

They are still working out the offense but that will certainly come in time. This is especially true thanks to the play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

On the other hand, the Blazers’ backcourt is the most potent in the NBA. They have been together for a long time and this season, either Lillard or CJ McCollum is the go-to guy on any given night. What the Blazers have added is rim protection in the form of Hassan Whiteside. The added bonus is he is scoring and rebounding with vigor, which is taking the pressure off the star guards.

The injury bug has already started hitting the Blazers, starting power forward Zach Collins appeared to dislocate his shoulder against the Dallas Mavericks. This will hinder their defense as he is a solid perimeter defender, which is going to help the OKC Thunder. Danilo Gallinari is going to be extremely hard to match up against.

This brings us to the keys of the game.

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